Arkansas Procurement Director Edward Armstrong's answer to being sued over a ruling that gave a fourth-place bidder a major state contract boils down to four words: His word is final. So far, the law seems to agree with him.

Black Friday isn’t what it used to be, but the arrival of the spending season prompts concern about a looming threat to Arkansas consumers: the return of the illegal loan sharks euphemistically known as payday lenders.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge tried to provide some clarity on two hotly contested state laws with a pair of legal opinions on the open carry of handguns and local anti-discrimination protections. Instead, it's increasingly likely courts or the Legislature will have to resolve both issues.

Several dozens of people, including former Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, have gathered in Little Rock to show their distaste for a proposed law that critics say would sanction discrimination against gays and lesbians.

A program that grants money to Arkansas crime victims to pay for funeral expenses, medical care and other needs faces a budget shortfall next year and needs at least another $2 million to continue, outgoing Attorney General Dustin McDaniel warned Tuesday.